Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ1841
2006-07-06 15:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
ELECTIONS UPDATE
VZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLP #1841 1871501 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 061501Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9859 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 5979 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3297 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7146 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4403 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1686 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1688 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 3900 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4317 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 8874 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
UNCLAS LA PAZ 001841
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND L.PETRONI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: ELECTIONS UPDATE
REF: LA PAZ 1808
UNCLAS LA PAZ 001841
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND L.PETRONI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: ELECTIONS UPDATE
REF: LA PAZ 1808
1. (SBU) Approximately 80 percent of the July 2 election
results are in, and National Electoral Court officials expect
around 90 percent by July 7. Most analysts anticipate high
voter participation rates, perhaps approaching the 84.5
percent of the December 2005 national elections. While voter
turnout appears solid, many Bolivians submitted blank ballots
-- 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, in Tarija and
Pando, the only two departments with official results. In
December, by comparison, the numbers were much lower -- 5
percent in Tarija and 3 percent in Pando. Some analysts
believe this trend will continue in the other seven
departments and speculate that it represents citizens' lack
of information about the candidates, general apathy (voting
itself is compulsory),or a protest vote.
2. (SBU) Another emerging trend appears to be the growth of
the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party in eastern Bolivia.
In December, the MAS won 31 percent of the vote in Tarija
and 20 percent in Pando. MAS support increased to 45 percent
in Tarija and 37 percent in Pando, both impressive gains in
just over six months. While final results are not yet
available for Santa Cruz, early indications are that the MAS
vote also increased significantly in that department. Such
large gains are likely due as much to Podemos' weakness
following the December elections (both financially and in
terms of its slate of candidates) as to the MAS' wealth of
resources and its ability to shift them to eastern Bolivia
following its relatively weak showing there in December.
GREENLEE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND L.PETRONI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON BL
SUBJECT: ELECTIONS UPDATE
REF: LA PAZ 1808
1. (SBU) Approximately 80 percent of the July 2 election
results are in, and National Electoral Court officials expect
around 90 percent by July 7. Most analysts anticipate high
voter participation rates, perhaps approaching the 84.5
percent of the December 2005 national elections. While voter
turnout appears solid, many Bolivians submitted blank ballots
-- 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, in Tarija and
Pando, the only two departments with official results. In
December, by comparison, the numbers were much lower -- 5
percent in Tarija and 3 percent in Pando. Some analysts
believe this trend will continue in the other seven
departments and speculate that it represents citizens' lack
of information about the candidates, general apathy (voting
itself is compulsory),or a protest vote.
2. (SBU) Another emerging trend appears to be the growth of
the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party in eastern Bolivia.
In December, the MAS won 31 percent of the vote in Tarija
and 20 percent in Pando. MAS support increased to 45 percent
in Tarija and 37 percent in Pando, both impressive gains in
just over six months. While final results are not yet
available for Santa Cruz, early indications are that the MAS
vote also increased significantly in that department. Such
large gains are likely due as much to Podemos' weakness
following the December elections (both financially and in
terms of its slate of candidates) as to the MAS' wealth of
resources and its ability to shift them to eastern Bolivia
following its relatively weak showing there in December.
GREENLEE